Detectives Munch and Tutuola become increasingly frustrated as they follow a brutal pair of kidnappers who rape and murder their victims; and even when they get their men, they end up in a l... Read allDetectives Munch and Tutuola become increasingly frustrated as they follow a brutal pair of kidnappers who rape and murder their victims; and even when they get their men, they end up in a legal dispute with the Canadian authorities.Detectives Munch and Tutuola become increasingly frustrated as they follow a brutal pair of kidnappers who rape and murder their victims; and even when they get their men, they end up in a legal dispute with the Canadian authorities.
Photos
- Darryl Kern
- (as R. E. Rodgers)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe two sadistic kidnappers/torturers/rapists are based on Leonard Lake and Charles Ng, two men who met in the military who captured, tortured, raped and murdered numerous women and murdered entire families to steal their IDs, money, and cars.
- GoofsAn Army colonel would never refer to incarceration as 'the brig'; that is strictly a term used in the Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy. A military jail or prison is referred to as "the stockade" in the Air Force and Army.
- Quotes
Officer Cheryl Baxter: We computerized the county records a few years ago. If either Kern or Cokely owns land here, it'll show up in the tax rolls.
Odafin Tutuola: Damn. How come we don't have this kind of software?
Officer Cheryl Baxter: You could always head down to the basement and go through the big books if that'd make you feel more at home.
- ConnectionsReferences The Andy Griffith Show (1960)
To me, "Manhunt" is one of the highlights of Season 2. It showcases both Munch and Fin so well and absolutely loved how they worked together. It is one of the season's most tension-filled episodes and has one of the show's most chilling villains ever in my view. The Canadian authorities' handling of the case is frustrating in a way, but not unrealistically so and it does create some tense conflict. Plus without it we wouldn't have one of Cabot's most satisfying moments ever.
Munch, his humour and dryness stole scenes numerous times throughout his time on the show, and Fin, "Manhunt" continuing the second half's success in making him more interesting and growing in development, are both on top form. Both are the same Munch and Fin that one loves, Munch's character writing is classic Munch and Fin really was starting to come into his own as a character. They work, and bicker, so well together, providing much tension and amusing wit. One also sees development to them and sees how the case affects him, with it being visibly very hard for Munch.
It is hard to think of anybody else that would fit the role of Munch better than Richard Belzer and Ice-T has not only settled very well but has come into his own properly here. Stephanie March is suitably icy as Cabot, and her persuading the authorities to extradite on a lesser charge was one of her most satisfying moments and a clever piece of writing on the writers' part. R.E. Rodgers is unforgettable as one truly evil character with no redeeming qualities, to terrifying effect too (his stare alone gives me the heebie jeebies).
Furthermore, the case really keeps one guessing throughout and has some genuinely chilling tension and the chemistry and exchanges between Munch and Fin keeps things serious while with enough levity to stop it from being overly so. Especially towards the end, and the outcome is one that couldn't have been more appropriate. "Manhunt" is tautly and thoughtfully scripted, especially in the banter with Munch and Fin and that aforementioned scene with Cabot. The production values are slick as usual and the music fits the atmosphere well.
Overall, fantastic and one of Season 2's best. 10/10
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 22, 2020